Christopher Nolan received an Oscar nomination for directing "Dunkirk."

It's his first in the category.

Movies like "Inception" and "The Dark Knight" received numerous other nominations in the past.

But it's been a challenge for Nolan to receive personal recognition from the Academy.

Christopher Nolan fans could be satisfied with this year's Oscar nominations. For the first time in his career, he was nominated for best director, for "Dunkirk."

We're also shocked. Nolan is one of the most technically-skilled directors out there. Every time, he writes and directs an original big-budget feature to critical acclaim and huge box office receipts. He gave the superhero genre some gravity with the "Dark Knight" movies, and introduced beloved sci-fi films like "Interstellar" and "Inception" to the world.

But for all that, he had only three Oscar nominations. He was nominated for writing "Memento" in 2002, and received writing and best picture nominations for 2010's "Inception." "Dunkirk" is tied with "Inception" and "The Dark Knight" for receiving the most nominations for a Nolan movie, with eight nods. "Inception" is his biggest winner on record, winning four of them at the 2011 ceremony.

"Dunkirk."
Warner Bros.

But, generally speaking, Nolan has a history of getting shut out by the Academy of Arts and Sciences, which nominates the movies. Outrage mounted when "The Dark Knight" failed to receive a best picture nomination, leading the Academy to expand the category from five to 10 nominees (then, eventually, to somewhere in between depending on the year). And even 2006's "The Prestige," a handsomely-mounted period piece, usually catnip for the Academy, received a measly two nominations. It's been frustrating for fans who want recognition that Nolan is the mastermind behind his own films.

In a way, it makes sense that this nomination finally happened with "Dunkirk." It's a war movie set during World War II, which the Academy likes. But it's also unique, with its own distinct structure and rhythm. Even if he's making Oscar bait, Nolan knows how to execute his unique vision.

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